Mike Flynn unhappy with referee Trevor Kettle

Newport manager Mike Flynn labelled the refereeing of Trevor Kettle as a “joke” and “comedy gold” after his team were held to a thrilling 3-3 draw with Macclesfield at Rodney Parade.

Kettle was the villain of the piece in the eyes of the home crowd and he awarded the Silkmen two penalties both of which were converted David Fitzpatrick.

The second of the Macclesfield left-back’s spot kicks looked like it had given Town their first win of the League Two season, but in the seventh minute of added time, Newport stole a point.

Exiles top scorer Jamille Matt was the one to come up trumps as he headed home at the back post, but it couldn’t stop a furious Flynn from slamming the man in the middle.

“The referee’s performance was a joke. It was comedy gold. I’ve not seen the Rodney Parade crowd as irate as that in all my time as a player and manager here,” he said.

“I don’t want to criticise all the officials because I thought the fourth official was excellent, but I don’t know how the referee could have awarded the two penalties or not given a second yellow for our penalty.”

“There is no point me going to speak to him either. I’ll take it to the authorities, but credit goes to the lads for their perseverance in getting a point.”

Newport slipped to third with this result and missed the chance to move closer to leaders Lincoln who were surprise 1-0 losers away to Tranmere.

This was County’s second dramatic comeback in the space of four days after they turned around a two-goal deficit to down Cambridge 4-2 last Saturday.

County captain Mickey Demetriou, who scored his team’s second, added: “I don’t know why it keeps happening , but we are picking up results which is the main thing.

“It’s disappointing not to pick up the three points and it wasn’t to be today, but we will bounce back and we’ll try to go to the top of the table at Forest Green on Saturday.”

Macclesfield are still without a victory in League Two, but a header from Fiacre Kelleher and Fitzpatrick’s first penalty of the night after Dan Butler felled Tyrone Marsh gave them a 2-0 lead.

It was the perfect start with the two goals coming in just 11 minutes.

Newport pulled one back when man of the match Butler smashed home a short corner routine and Demetriou levelled with a spot kick of his own in the second half.

Kelleher had felled Matt to concede the penalty, but Kettle decided against a second yellow card.

Fitzpatrick’s second cool penalty sent an already angry Rodney Parade crowd into meltdown, but Newport pushed hard for an equaliser late on and finally got their reward.

With seven minutes of added time on the clock, Demetriou crashed a header off the bar and down on to the line before Matt broke Macclesfield hearts.

Town manager Mark Yates: “Newport is a difficult place to come. They are second in the league for a reason. We started the game well and went 2-0 up, but let them back in.

“My only criticism is we haven’t seen the game out, but we’re heading in the right direction. I don’t think it’s a confidence thing with us, we’re just a bit naive at times.

“We need to be more streetwise, but we showed plenty of togetherness and there is no point bleating about where we are in the table. We’ve just got to improve.

“I’ve no comment to make on the referee’s performance.”